The report gathers top entries to the Paulson Prize for Sustainability, featuring best practices and innovative solutions for use in China and beyond
December 7, 2022—The Paulson Institute and China’s Tsinghua University jointly released The Paulson Prize for Sustainability Case Studies 2022 at the Opening of the China Pavilion at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in Montreal. The case studies present a selection of the best entries for the prestigious Paulson Prize for Sustainability, an annual award given to projects in China that provide innovative, scalable, and market-based solutions at the intersection of economics and the environment.
As the world gathers in Montreal this week to negotiate and agree on a plan to conserve and protect biodiversity, it is vital to identify and celebrate the innovations and solutions needed to effect change. The case studies demonstrate that change comes not just through policymakers’ efforts but through the ingenuity of private sector actors. They showcase China’s best innovations and global potential amid critical discussions and debates over the next two weeks.
“We’re living through an age of existential risk in the natural world. Tackling biodiversity loss and climate change will require millions of innovations,” said Deborah Lehr, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Paulson Institute. As the world’s largest developing country, China is a testing ground for green innovation. “We hope these case studies serve to educate, inspire, and catalyze further efforts to chart a better course for the planet,” Lehr added.
“Faced with the threat of climate change and ecological destruction, no one can thrive alone,” said Yang Bin, Vice President of Tsinghua University. “We have to learn from each other, cooperate, share experiences, and face it together. This is precisely the meaning of the collaboration between Tsinghua University and the Paulson Institute on the Paulson Prize and the significant contribution this publication of a collection of selected projects and cases over the past five years aims to make.”
A total of 22 cases were selected from past winners and finalists of the Paulson Prize. The Case Studies provide an illustrative snapshot of some transformative green development solutions emerging in China. These projects reflect the scope and diversity of responses to the climate and biodiversity crises across sectors—ranging from energy efficiency, waste recycling, waste to energy, decarbonizing supply chains, green finance, low carbon transport, as well as efforts in realizing eco-product values, ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, among others. Highlighting these cases is an essential aspect of encouraging more solutions at scale.
The innovative thinking, breakthrough technologies, and new models demonstrated in the case studies will help lead a clear path to a sustainable future. We celebrate these Chinese innovations’ bold vision, originality, and transformative impact, which can be replicated for the whole world’s benefit.
To learn more about the Paulson Prize for Sustainability Case Studies 2022: PaulsonInstitute.org/prize
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List of Cases – Green Innovation
- Transforming Energy Efficiency Through HVAC: An Innovative Model for Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Improvement and Investment in HVAC Systems by Nanjing Tica Climate Solutions Co., Ltd.
- Greening the Data Centers: Green Energy-Saving Solution for Alibaba Cloud Data Center by Alibaba Cloud Computing Co., Ltd.
- Reviving City Waste Batteries: Innovative Strategies for City Waste Battery Recycle and Reuse by Wuhan Power Battery Recycling Co., Ltd
- The Green Stream Initiative: JD’s Green Supply Chain Action – “Green Stream Initiative” by JD Logistics, inc.
- The Cyclic Rebirth of Plastic Waste: The Project Double-Million-Tons: Plastic Waste Recycling and Reutilization by Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd.
- Turning Waste into a City Landmark: An integrated Solution for Waste-To-Energy and Nimby Effect by Shenzhen Energy Group Co., Ltd.
- Ecological Chief Mechanism for Urbanization: A New Model for Urban Planning and Management in Lingshan Island Area by Guangzhou Nansha New Area Pearl Bay Development Bureau
- Fintech Empowers Green Growth: The Digital intelligence Green Financing Platform by Huzhou Financial Business Development Center
- Shenzhen Paradigm on Full Electrification: High-Quality Operation Project for Full Electrification of Shenzhen Bus Network by Shenzhen Bus Group Co., Ltd.
- The Ecology-Agriculture integration Model: Urban-Rural Organic Waste Recycling and Arable Land Improvement Project by Beijing Goldenway Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.
- Digitalizing the Agriculture industry：Internet + Agriculture: A Smart Model for the Livestock industry by Beijing Nxin Internet Technology Group Co., Ltd.
List of Cases – Nature Stewardship
- The Forest Eco-Bank: The Forest Eco-Bank Project in Shunchang County, Nanping City, Fujian Province by Shunchang State-Owned Forest Farm in Fujian Province
- Carbon Sequestration Through Afforestation: The Large-Scale Forest Carbon Sequestration Afforestation Project in Qinghai Province by Qinghai Forest Carbon Sequestration Service Center
- The Water Fund: The Water Fund Model in Zhejiang Province by Wanxiang Trust Co., Ltd.
- Mangrove Conservation and Utilization: Mangrove Conservation and Utilization based on Eco-Farming Technology by Guangxi Mangrove Research Center
- Wetland Protection & Restoration in Hainan: Haikou Wetland Protection and Restoration Project by Haikou Wetland Protection and Management Center
- Conservation & Restoration of Haizhu National Wetland Park: Conservation and Restoration of Haizhu National Wetland Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong by Guangzhou Haizhu Wetland Public Education and Research Center
- Ecosystem Restoration of an Abandoned Mine: The Overall Solution for Ecosystem Restoration and Service Function Improvement of Abandoned Mine at Yuquan Mountain Park in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province by Shanxi Jinfeng Heat Supply Co., Ltd.
- Finless Porpoise Conservation: A New Patrol System for Finless Porpoise Conservation in the Yangtze River by Hubei Changjiang Conservation Foundation (CCF)
- Nature Watch in National Park: Pioneering the Franchise System in Sanjiangyuan National Park —Namsei Valley of the Cats Nature Watch by Shanshui Conservation Center (SSCC)
- Ant Forest: Alipay Ant Forest by Ant Group
- Civil Protected Areas: Civil Protected Areas by the Paradise International Foundation, Shenzhen
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The Paulson Institute
The Paulson Institute is a non-partisan, independent “think and do tank” dedicated to fostering a US-China relationship that serves to maintain global order in a rapidly evolving world. The Paulson Institute’s focus on US-China is dictated by the reality that it is the most consequential bilateral relationship in the world. The Institute operates at the intersection of economics, financial markets, and environmental protection by promoting market-based solutions to ensure green economic growth and conservation of critical ecosystems. Founded in 2011 by former Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr., the Paulson Institute is based in Chicago with offices in Washington and Beijing.
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University was established in 1911. With the motto of “Self-Discipline and Social Commitment” and the spirit of “Actions Speak Louder than Words,” Tsinghua University is dedicated to the well-being of Chinese society and world development. At present, the university has 14 schools and 56 departments with faculties in science, engineering, humanities, law, medicine, history, philosophy, economics, management, education and art. The University has now over 25,900 students, including 13,100 undergraduates and 12,800 graduate students. As one of China’s most renowned universities, Tsinghua has become an important institution for fostering talent and scientific research.
Media contact:
Jing Wang
jwang@paulsoninstitute.org